Engagement & Education Spec

The Alberta Public Service works to build a stronger province for current and future generations. We make a difference in the lives of Albertans through rewarding and diverse career opportunities.

Alberta Environment and Protected Areas is dedicated to safeguarding Albertas natural resource and ecosystems while balancing environmental and economic needs. We focus on wildlife conservation, managing protected areas, creating environmental policies, conducting research and engaging the public to support decision-making. Our commitment is to sustainably, ensure Alberta’s landscapes and resources are preserved and responsibly managed for future generations.

Engagement and Indigenous Initiatives Branch
The Engagement and Indigenous Initiatives Branch provides a full spectrum of engagement services to the ministry by leading public, stakeholder and Indigenous community engagement to advance the development and implementation of environmental policy. The branch also provides environmental education services to enhance literacy about the government’s management of Alberta’s air, land, water and biodiversity.

Role Responsibilities

Are you an experienced engagement and education professional who is passionate about helping people understand complex environmental issues, participate meaningfully in government decision-making, and become stewards of Alberta’s air, land, water and biodiversity?

The Engagement and Indigenous Initiatives Branch in Alberta Environment and Protected Areas is seeking an Engagement and Education Specialist to join a collaborative team that leads the Ministry’s public and stakeholder engagement activities.

In this role, you will design and deliver engagement and education initiatives that support a wide range of Ministry priorities. You will work with internal teams, other ministries, external organizations, communities and stakeholder groups as you implement meaningful engagement opportunities, gather and analyze feedback, develop education resources and communicate results.

We’re seeking strategic thinkers who are organized and relationship focused. If you have experience managing complex files, facilitating productive conversations, analyzing diverse perspectives, and translating information into practical advice for decision-makers, consider joining our team!

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading engagement planning processes, including defining outcomes and objectives, identifying participants, selecting appropriate techniques, assessing risks, developing timelines, and determining evaluation approaches.
• Applying International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) principles and engagement best practices to design meaningful, transparent and effective engagement processes.
• Conducting stakeholder mapping and analysis to understand interests, relationships, risks, opportunities and potential impacts.
• Designing and delivering in-person and online engagement opportunities, including workshops, facilitated discussions, meetings, surveys and other feedback-gathering activities.
• Developing clear engagement materials, discussion guides, survey questions, facilitation plans and reporting products.
• Facilitating conversations with diverse participants, including situations where perspectives may differ, with a focus on identifying shared values, interests and constructive paths forward.
• Analyzing qualitative and quantitative engagement data and prepare reports that accurately reflect what was heard, key themes, implications and considerations.
• Utilizing a variety of engagement tools such Microsoft Forms, Teams, Excel, Zoom, NVivo, and Jambo to support engagement planning, delivery, analysis and reporting.
• Leading and supporting the planning, development, delivery and evaluation of environmental education programs, resources and initiatives.
• Developing accessible, engaging and audience-appropriate education materials for Albertans across a wide range of demographics.
• Working with community groups, government partners and other external organizations to coordinate education activities and extend the reach and impact of Ministry initiatives.

In this role, you will use strong judgment, collaboration and strategic thinking to translate ministry priorities into effective engagement and education approaches that build understanding, encourage meaningful participation and support environmental and natural resource outcomes.

The Job Description is provided for further details on this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

• Creative Problem Solving: Identifies issues, considers different perspectives and develops practical solutions to complex engagement and stakeholder challenges.
• Agility: Adapts to changing priorities, emerging issues and stakeholder needs while maintaining focus on desired outcomes.
• Develop Networks: Builds and maintains productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support collaboration and advance Ministry priorities.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Creates opportunities for open dialogue, shared understanding and collaboration among diverse stakeholders and partners.
• Communication: Communicates effectively, both written and verbal, with tact, diplomacy, sensitivity and professionalism to address complex issues.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirement:
Bachelor’s degree in related fields such as Education, Communications, Public Relations, Community Engagement, Environmental Studies and Natural Resources plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:  1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Assets include:

• Membership and/or certification with the IAP2, CPRS, IABC and IAF
• Training and experience in public-sector engagement.
• Project management certification and/or experience.
• Experience facilitating meetings, workshops, presentations or engagement sessions.
• Experience building strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience developing and delivering environmental education and outreach initiatives.
• Experience negotiating, building consensus and managing conflict.
• Experience using innovative engagement processes, tools and techniques.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

This position is a permanent, full-time role, with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday.

To support operational needs in Southern Alberta, Calgary may also be considered as the position’s location.

Travel within the area and throughout the province may be required to support the delivery of engagement and education activities.

Candidates may be asked to complete a written assignment as a part of the interview process.

Application Information:

• In your application, please include a cover page detailing your interest, and role related experience.
• In your resume, include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).
• Three (3) work-related references are required for those selected for an interview.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)  
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.

How To Apply   

Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.

Candidates are required to apply online. Please see Job Application Resources for more information.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 - June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.

It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information.

It is also recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.

Closing Statement

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements.

If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Jane McEwen at Jane.McEwen@gov.ab.ca.